This weekend on The Shoots: • Why is Hilton's next hotel in Southwest India on a sand dune? • Hurricane Helene turns two • How California failed to enforce raw milk and pesticide regulations — with deadly consequences Read and subscribe to our news digest for free:

The Disaster and Self-Inflicted Wounds Megaedition

Dear Reader, Happy weekend (and happy belated Gandhi Jayanti to those who celebrate!) Here are this weekend’s top stories on the world’s most pressing health...

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Thank you Suzi for becoming a member and helping us start our new fiscal year strong! Support @thexylom.com's award winning coverage of the world's most pressing health and environmental disparities by joining our community of supporters: bsky.app/profile/suzi...

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Suzi@suzisteffen.bsky.social · 3d ago

Let's do this, Bsky!!

This was such a cool read! Heirloom and landrace seeds are so important, and I hope their mission is able to continue 💜

The Xylom@thexylom.com · 3d ago

In 2003, the U.S. military bombed Iraq’s national seed bank in Abu Ghraib, effectively eliminating hundreds of varieties of indigenous seeds adapted to growing in the drought-prone desert climate. A year later, U.S. law prohibited Iraqi farmers from seed saving. (First published in 2025 by Prism)

NEW: In a tourism-dependent Goa, resorts have long taken priority over residents. Now, that priority is reshaping the state’s coastline, threatening protected sand dunes that provide the first line of defence against coastal flooding and erosion.

A Hilton Luxury Resort Closes In on Goa’s Sand Dunes

In a tourism-dependent Goa, resorts have long taken priority over residents. Now, that priority is reshaping the state’s coastline.

thexylom.com

In 2003, the U.S. military bombed Iraq’s national seed bank in Abu Ghraib, effectively eliminating hundreds of varieties of indigenous seeds adapted to growing in the drought-prone desert climate. A year later, U.S. law prohibited Iraqi farmers from seed saving. (First published in 2025 by Prism)

Saving Iraq’s Seeds, One Garden at a Time

Comprising a diverse range of backgrounds and ages, the collective fosters a space for voices of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian seed stewards from the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region…

thexylom.com

We always read comments from our readers, and here's one from a couple of days ago: "This newsletter always provides a treasure trove of articles and links that I haven't seen. Highly recommended. " newsletter.thexylom.com

The Xylom

Founded in 2018 and based in Atlanta, The Xylom reports on everything you need to know about the world’s most pressing health and environmental disparities. We’re glad you’ve found your way here! (And...

newsletter.thexylom.com

The first time we're partnering with Frontline, one of India's most venerable news magazines! And we're looking into the impacts of the third-largest hotel chain in the world on some of the most ecologically sensitive areas in India:

The Xylom@thexylom.com · yesterday

This investigation is produced by The Xylom and co-published by Frontline, an Indian fortnightly magazine. www.thexylom.com/post/a-hilto...

NEW: In a tourism-dependent Goa, resorts have long taken priority over residents. Now, that priority is reshaping the state’s coastline, threatening protected sand dunes that provide the first line of defence against coastal flooding and erosion.

A Hilton Luxury Resort Closes In on Goa’s Sand Dunes

In a tourism-dependent Goa, resorts have long taken priority over residents. Now, that priority is reshaping the state’s coastline.

thexylom.com

Workers break apart electronic items with hammers to extract valuable metals, often with no protective equipment, releasing a toxic cocktail of pollutants such as lead, mercury, or cadmium onto themselves and the surrounding environment. www.thexylom.com/post/the-tox...

The Toxic Cost of the Philippines’ Growing E-Waste Crisis

Inadequate recycling facilities mean that e-waste handling falls to Manila’s informal sector, exposing entire communities to toxins and serious health problems.

thexylom.com

We've been doubling down on our climate coverage and tripling our newsletter frequency here at @thexylom.com. If legacy media won't do it, we will! (and responding specifically to the Yale survey, The Xylom's two largest audience groups are aged 25-34 and 18-24) newsletter.thexylom.com

The Xylom

Founded in 2018 and based in Atlanta, The Xylom reports on everything you need to know about the world’s most pressing health and environmental disparities. We’re glad you’ve found your way here! (And...

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Michael E. Mann@michaelemann.bsky.social · 3d ago

From the latest @yaleclimatecomm.bsky.social survey: "The percentage of registered voters who say they hear about global warming in the media dropped 11 percentage points from 2024 (30%) to 2025 (19%), which is the lowest it has been since the question was first asked in 2015." This is on you media!

A joint study by Yale University and George Mason University found that those who are disengaged, doubtful, or dismissive of climate change tend to highly trust healthcare providers on the subject — even more than public officials from agencies like NASA and news organizations. (Published 2025)

The Fifth Vital Sign: Atlanta Doctors Are Talking Climate Change With Patients

Leveraging trust built over time, doctors hope to depolarize the issue and break through misinformation.

thexylom.com

“Following Bremer’s declaration that Iraq was “open for business”…Iraqi farmers had no choice but to buy into Western agribusinesses and their patented seed technology.”

The Xylom@thexylom.com · 3d ago

In 2003, the U.S. military bombed Iraq’s national seed bank in Abu Ghraib, effectively eliminating hundreds of varieties of indigenous seeds adapted to growing in the drought-prone desert climate. A year later, U.S. law prohibited Iraqi farmers from seed saving. (First published in 2025 by Prism)

Idea: Subscribe to The Xylom! fnd.us/sustain-the-...

Sustain The Xylom!

Support The Xylom's independent reporting by making a monthly recurring donation!

fnd.us

The Xylom@thexylom.com · 3d ago

In 2003, the U.S. military bombed Iraq’s national seed bank in Abu Ghraib, effectively eliminating hundreds of varieties of indigenous seeds adapted to growing in the drought-prone desert climate. A year later, U.S. law prohibited Iraqi farmers from seed saving. (First published in 2025 by Prism)

In a 150-page order, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman noted that roughly 88,697 incarcerated people were housed in unairconditioned units in Texas heading into summer 2026, meaning the Texas Department of Criminal Justice provides “cool beds” for only about 37 percent of its population.

The ‘Lionesses’ Who Sued To Get Air Conditioning in Every Texas Prison — And Won

A group led by formerly incarcerated women spent years advocating for those trapped inside prison walls during Texas’ hot summers.

thexylom.com

Thank you Suzi for becoming a member and helping us start our new fiscal year strong! Support @thexylom.com's award winning coverage of the world's most pressing health and environmental disparities by joining our community of supporters: bsky.app/profile/suzi...

Sustain The Xylom!

Support The Xylom's independent reporting by making a monthly recurring donation!

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Suzi@suzisteffen.bsky.social · 3d ago

Let's do this, Bsky!!

Interesting. I'd've thought folks who were dismissive of climate change would be dismissive of doctors, too. Glad it's not so!

The Xylom@thexylom.com · 3d ago

A joint study by Yale University and George Mason University found that those who are disengaged, doubtful, or dismissive of climate change tend to highly trust healthcare providers on the subject — even more than public officials from agencies like NASA and news organizations. (Published 2025)

In 2003, the U.S. military bombed Iraq’s national seed bank in Abu Ghraib, effectively eliminating hundreds of varieties of indigenous seeds adapted to growing in the drought-prone desert climate. A year later, U.S. law prohibited Iraqi farmers from seed saving. (First published in 2025 by Prism)

Saving Iraq’s Seeds, One Garden at a Time

Comprising a diverse range of backgrounds and ages, the collective fosters a space for voices of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian seed stewards from the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region…

thexylom.com

A joint study by Yale University and George Mason University found that those who are disengaged, doubtful, or dismissive of climate change tend to highly trust healthcare providers on the subject — even more than public officials from agencies like NASA and news organizations. (Published 2025)

The Fifth Vital Sign: Atlanta Doctors Are Talking Climate Change With Patients

Leveraging trust built over time, doctors hope to depolarize the issue and break through misinformation.

thexylom.com

The U.S. has ended funding for Zimbabwe's health programs at the end of September, after Zimbabwe rejected a deal to share sensitive health data. Last year, we reported on the country's booming black market for lifesaving HIV medicine as supplies dwindled: www.thexylom.com/post/zimbabw...

Zimbabwe's HIV Medicine Black Market is Flush with Sex Workers and Asian Cash

Legally purchasing PreP and PEP pills from private pharmacies can be expensive for sex workers, who are required to submit to expensive medical tests on top of purchasing the pills.

thexylom.com

This week on The Shoots: • An unfortunate update on our recent Ukraine coverage • A curiously located gas pipeline • Frugal science under Trump 2.0 • Where indigenous food culture works in harmony with ecosystems Read and subscribe to our news digest for free:

(Not) Everything Is On Fire

Dear Reader, Happy end of Q3! Like the U.S. federal government, our new fiscal year begins on October 1st. You will hear more about our FY 2027 Budget in a...

newsletter.thexylom.com

But as governmental bodies fail in their stewardship and investor interests steer conversations about the mountain away from conservation, the wildness that makes Mount Kenya so unique and tantalizing could easily vanish, as it has in so many other places. (Published 2024)

Perspective: Mount Kenya's Risky Adventure

As the mountain’s ecosystems weaken due to increased tourism, its future looks uncertain, especially with failing governmental stewardship.

thexylom.com

In case you needed a refresher on how dire things are with fighting HIV in Zimbabwe: here's our reporting from last year: www.thexylom.com/post/zimbabw...

Zimbabwe's HIV Medicine Black Market is Flush with Sex Workers and Asian Cash

Legally purchasing PreP and PEP pills from private pharmacies can be expensive for sex workers, who are required to submit to expensive medical tests on top of purchasing the pills.

thexylom.com

The Washington Sun@washingtonsun.com · 4d ago

The Trump administration officially ended decades of global health aid to Zimbabwe, cutting off funding for HIV and infectious disease prevention efforts after Zimbabwean officials rejected an “America first” health deal.

This week on The Shoots: • An unfortunate update on our recent Ukraine coverage • A curiously located gas pipeline • Frugal science under Trump 2.0 • Where indigenous food culture works in harmony with ecosystems Read and subscribe to our news digest for free:

(Not) Everything Is On Fire

Dear Reader, Happy end of Q3! Like the U.S. federal government, our new fiscal year begins on October 1st. You will hear more about our FY 2027 Budget in a...

newsletter.thexylom.com

In a 150-page order, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman noted that roughly 88,697 incarcerated people were housed in unairconditioned units in Texas heading into summer 2026, meaning the Texas Department of Criminal Justice provides “cool beds” for only about 37 percent of its population.

The ‘Lionesses’ Who Sued To Get Air Conditioning in Every Texas Prison — And Won

A group led by formerly incarcerated women spent years advocating for those trapped inside prison walls during Texas’ hot summers.

thexylom.com

Annual AC sales in the Philippines have risen from 700,000 units sold in 2016 to 4 million in 2025, making them one of the most commonly dismantled electronic items in Tondo. The market is expected to double over the next 10 years, further increasing the e-waste problem.

The Toxic Cost of the Philippines’ Growing E-Waste Crisis

Inadequate recycling facilities mean that e-waste handling falls to Manila’s informal sector, exposing entire communities to toxins and serious health problems.

thexylom.com

BREAKING: Ukrinform, the state news agency of Ukraine, reports that a Russian drone has struck the National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv, causing a fire. Last month, we reported on a visit to one of the research groups housed within the complex, which studies fungi across the country.

Ukrainian Mycologists Are Not Giving Up

As the Russo-Ukrainian war continues, Ukrainian mushroom scientists struggle in their quotidian work.

thexylom.com

Be like Jenny and get our twice-weekly news digest: newsletter.thexylom.com

The Xylom

Founded in 2018 and based in Atlanta, The Xylom reports on everything you need to know about the world’s most pressing health and environmental disparities. We’re glad you’ve found your way here! (And...

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Dr. Jenny Morber@jrmorber.bsky.social · last wk.

“The problem has never been that EPA’s pesticide office doesn’t compile all the relevant science, it’s that it selectively ignores the science that doesn’t support the pesticide industry’s goals.” Once again, spot on news links from @thexylom.com newsletter

If we have brought you clarity and insight, please support The Xylom’s award-winning coverage of the world's most pressing health and environmental disparities by becoming a monthly member or making a one-time tax-deductible donation: fundrazr.com/sustain-the-...

Sustain The Xylom!

Support The Xylom's independent reporting by making a monthly recurring donation!

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The Xylom is joining hundreds of newsrooms from over 100 countries around the world in celebrating World News Day on September 28th. Know the facts. Understand what matters. Choose Trusted Journalism. #WorldNewsDay #ChooseTrustedJournalism #JournalismMatters #WND26 #WND2026

“I don't think that someone who has not had the experience of surviving during war can understand the conditions in which people live and work in Ukraine,” says Margarita Lomberg, a microbiologist who has worked at Kholodny for more than three decades. www.thexylom.com/post/ukraini...

Ukrainian Mycologists Are Not Giving Up

As the Russo-Ukrainian war continues, Ukrainian mushroom scientists struggle in their quotidian work.

thexylom.com